Coyote
Although wolves get most of the big media attention in Yellowstone National Park, visitors are more likely to observe another native of the canine family-the coyote. Coyotes can be seen everywhere in the park and throughout Montana, but keep your eyes open around open grassy fields where they are more easily spotted. During the summer, coyotes are often seen in small packs or alone as they hunt smaller mammals like mice, voles and pocket gophers. At other times of the year, they survive on larger animals such as calves of elk, pronghorn antelope and scavenge carrion. more info
Coyote Elegance
© Jess Lee Photography
Differentiating between coyotes and wolves can be quite difficult, especially from afar without the use of binoculars. Characteristically, coyotes are significantly smaller animals with adult males weighing around 30 pounds. Wolves are far more massive with many weighting 100 pounds or more. The wolf has a large head, short and rounded ears and a broad and blocky muzzle. Coyotes on the other hand have a small head, large and pointy ears and a slim, pointy nose. From the distance, coyotes are more delicate in appearance with tiny feet and thin legs.
Within Yellowstone National Park, the coyotes generally live in packs of six or seven animals led by a dominant pair called the alpha male and female. Some packs have a long family lineage and a well-defined territory-with a handful of packs remaining in the same denning areas for more than 50 years. The average life span of a coyote is around six years. The alpha coyotes mate in early February and the pups are born in early April. Other members of the pack guard the den from wolves and other vicious predators and regurgitate food to feed the pups.
Good places to view coyotes are in the Blacktail Plateau area and Lamar Valley, as well as along the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins near Old Faithful.
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